Minisode: How Amani Got on the USA Today Best Sellers List

mgraziano45
Mar 17
3 min read

Big news: Amani Roberts is officially a USA Today Bestselling Author! His book, The Quiet Storm, recently hit the top 50 on the USA Today Bestseller charts, and we couldn’t be more excited for him. In this special mini-episode of Adventures in Business, Amani is sharing what it takes to make the list, the strategies behind a successful book launch, and what happens after hitting bestseller status.

The Journey to Bestseller Status

For Amani, landing on the USA Today Bestseller list wasn’t just luck — it was the result of strategic planning, hard work, and persistence. In fact, this was a stretch goal he set for himself, and he reached it!

Just days before getting the news, he was feeling the pressure, but as Mandi reminded him in a text message: “There’s so much out of our control. The only thing we can control is our mindset, how we react to things, and the energy we put into them.” With that in mind, Amani focused on the process, knowing he had done everything he could to make his book a success.

The Three-Part Strategy That Made It Happen

Amani didn’t just rely on traditional book sales — he had a multi-pronged approach to driving numbers and getting The Quiet Storm onto the bestseller list. Here are the three key strategies he used:

1. Book in Lieu of Fees

When Amani booked speaking or DJing gigs, he negotiated deals where books were included as part of his payment. This bulk purchasing approach helped drive up sales numbers quickly and efficiently.

2. Bulk Purchase Offers

Amani created tiered bulk purchase options, allowing people to buy books in bundles of five, 30, 75, or even 250 copies. Many supporters opted for the five-book package, contributing significantly to his overall sales.

3. Direct Outreach

One of the most labor-intensive but effective strategies Amani used was personal outreach. He sent texts, DMs, and LinkedIn messages to his network, reminding people about his book’s launch. Whether he was traveling, waiting for food to cook, or winding down for the night, he made time for one-on-one outreach — what he and Mandy call “hand-to-hand combat” marketing.

How Book Sales Are Tracked for Bestseller Lists

For those curious about how books get counted toward major bestseller lists, Amani explains that sales are tracked through systems like BookScan, which logs book purchases from major retailers and distributors. Unlike the New York Times Bestseller list, which is more editorially curated, the USA Today Bestseller list is primarily based on pure sales numbers — making it more accessible for independent authors and self-publishers.

What Changes After Hitting the Bestseller List?

While Amani’s day-to-day hasn’t drastically changed since making the list, the credibility boost has been undeniable. He updated his bio and speaking credentials to reflect his new status, which will help elevate his reputation in both business and speaking engagements. As Mandi puts it, “It gives you more street cred and social capital.”

Lessons Learned for Future Book Launches

Looking back, Amani identifies a few key lessons he would apply to his next book launch:

Start earlier with book-in-lieu-of-fee deals
Plan even more bulk sales in advance
Time media appearances and podcast interviews to align perfectly with launch week
Host an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session to engage readers after launch

His biggest takeaway? The process of becoming a bestseller is a marathon, not a sprint. With careful planning and a strong promotional strategy, hitting the USA Today Bestseller list is possible — even without a traditional publishing deal.